'All-Screen' iPhone Under-Display Camera Enters Development

Apple's Korean suppliers have begun developing smartphone under-display cameras (UDC), paving the way for the first iPhone with a true "all-screen" appearance.

Beyond iPhone 13 Better Blue
According to The Elec, LG Innotek has entered the preliminary development of the UDC, which sits under the display and does not result in a visible hole in the panel when the camera is not in use.

A UDC differs from a typical front camera module, since it delivers less light to the image sensor. This is because light loss occurs as it passes through the display area before it reaches the camera lens, which can result in a deterioration in image quality and brightness.

To compensate for this, LG Innotek is developing a special "freeform optic" multiple lens system that can reduce optical aberrations and increase the light intensity ratio around the optical module to improve peripheral image quality. LG Innotek has been publishing patents for the technology since December last year, and more are expected now that development has begun.

LG Display, an affiliate of LG Innotek's LG Group, has also started UPC development, according to the report. LG Display aims to increase the UDC's light transmittance to 20% by 2023 and 40% after 2024, bringing it closer to the standard that Apple expects. Apple reportedly already received a UDC sample from an unnamed vendor, but rated it as unsatisfactory in performance.

Before Apple uses the perfected under-screen camera technology, it is expected to adopt under-panel Face ID technology in 2025's iPhone 17 Pro. This is expected to be Apple's last premium model to include a circular cutout for the front-facing camera. Apple will then adopt the UDC in 2027's "Pro" ‌iPhone‌ models, according to respected analyst Ross Young of research firm Display Supply Chain Consultants.

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Top Rated Comments

tomtad Avatar
18 months ago
Dynamic Island, we hardly knew ya
Score: 28 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Skyscraperfan Avatar
18 months ago
I do not like the idea, because how can you cover the camera with a sticker, if it is under the display? Then the sticker will hide a part of the display and the advantage of a camera under the display is gone.

And why do people want to film themselves? 90% of people are not beautiful enough to get filmed.
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
T'hain Esh Kelch Avatar
18 months ago

I do not like the idea, because how can you cover the camera with a sticker, if it is under the display? Then the sticker will hide a part of the display and the advantage of a camera under the display is gone.
Why is that different from having a cutout camera IN your display, and then covering that?

And why do people want to film themselves? 90% of people are not beautiful enough to get filmed.
Not all of those 90% have as negative thoughts about themselves, as you seem to have.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mectojic Avatar
18 months ago
Apple shrinks Dynamic Island in 2025.
Dynamic Island disappears in 2027.
Apple will say "the Island is sinking due to climate change" and then market the iPhone 19 as their first 100% sustainable iPhone.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ixrated Avatar
18 months ago
The UDC vs UPC is confusing, @MacRumors
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ItsASpider Avatar
18 months ago

I do not like the idea, because how can you cover the camera with a sticker, if it is under the display? Then the sticker will hide a part of the display and the advantage of a camera under the display is gone.

And why do people want to film themselves? 90% of people are not beautiful enough to get filmed.
Or, and hear me out on this one, just don't put a sticker on your camera?
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)